A scandal shakes Turkish football, Mourinho was right!

Turkish football is engulfed in controversy as the TFF Federation confirms that 152 professional referees were caught betting on matches, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the sport in the country.

Recently, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), chaired by Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, revealed shocking investigation results showing that out of 571 referees officiating professional leagues, 152 were involved in football betting. This case is considered the most serious scandal in Turkish football history, prompting immediate notifications to FIFA and UEFA for close monitoring.

According to TFF data, 371 referees have betting accounts, with 152 still active in their roles. Worryingly, this misconduct is not confined to lower levels but extends to seven top-level referees. Notably, ten referees placed over 10,000 bets each, with one individual wagering more than 18,000 times — a figure that has shocked the public.

Chairman Haciosmanoglu described this as a “turning point” for Turkish football and assured that TFF will collaborate with government authorities for thorough resolution. “We must restore ethics in sports,” he emphasized. The TFF stated that violation cases will be forwarded to the Disciplinary Board (PFDK) for review under Law No. 6222, which allows a five-year statute of limitations.

The organization has also launched a youth referee training program to build a “clean and sustainable” new generation, while urging clubs to conduct internal player checks to prevent further spread. The TFF warned that if clubs fail to act, the federation will cooperate with state agencies to expand investigations nationwide.

The list of 152 suspected referees is expected to be submitted to the Disciplinary Board within days before individual cases are legally reviewed. This scandal not only damages the reputation of Turkish football but also raises a significant question: can the refereeing system regain the trust of fans in this country?